SERM. And, from the abridgment of its precepts XI. here given by St. Paul, we may reasonably infer --- the extent, the fublimity, the perfection of that Moral goodness, which the Gospel requires---that its adverfaries can take no more effectual method to expose either their weakness, or their prefumption, or their malice, than by attacking it on this head---and that those Christians, who fubftitute the righteouf nefs, merits, and interceffion of Chrift in the room of the indifpenfable neceffity of a ftrict and univerfal virtue, groffly mifrepresent and reproach Christianity; and of confequence--blafpheme the author of it.

SER

SERMON XII.

92 92 92 92 92 92 92929

Of Sincerity,as opposed to Prejudice.

JOHN i. 45, 46, 47.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and faith unto him, We have found him, of whom Mofes in the Law, and the Prophets, did write, Jefus of Nazareth, the Son of Jofeph. And Nathanael faid unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip faith unto him, Come and fee.

Jefus faw Nathanael coming to him, and faith of him, Behold an Ifraelite indeed, in whom is no guile.

T

HE character here given of Na- SERM. thanael is eminent both for its XII. intrinsic Merit, and public Ufefulness---viz. that of an artless unadulterate fimplicity, that is neither biafs'd by

finifter

SERM. finifter views, nor fpotted by criminal pafXII. fions; but fcorning diffimulations and dis

guifes, the natural and usual shelter of base and corrupted minds, is unaffectedly honeft and generous in all its defigns and actions; fincere in every expreffion of piety to God, and abounding in candour, humanity, and an equitable temper to all Mankind. This is a character form'd upon the nobleft principles, which enables a Man to look inward, and examine the receffes of his own heart with pleasure, and commands refpect and confidence from others; a character fo univerfally engaging and beneficial, that it ftops the mouth of Calumny, and Envy itself can scarce repine at the deference which is paid to it, and the infinite Governour of the World honours it with his particular favour: In short, it is a character, without which we are not fitted as we ought to be for the bufinefs, fociety, and proper enjoyments of Men, i. e. of reasonable Beings, here upon earth; and much lefs for a more perfect and exalted ftation of dignity and happiness in the future immortal existence.

How

How then, it may be afk'd, fhall we de- SERM. ferve this character to which it should be XII. our highest ambition to aspire, as what is the Glory of Human nature, and the delight of the Deity ?---The right methods to be pursued by us are thefe, which are plainly suggested in the text. (1) That we difengage ourselves from all weak and vitious Prejudices, which enflave the judgment to fancy or appetite; and give even to Truth and Virtue, and the most rational and important principles of Religion, the complexion and colour of falfhood. And that having discarded Prejudice, that never-failing fource of confufed ideas and irregular Morals, we apply ourselves to a ferious and cool Examination of the principles we have entertain'd, cherifh an ingenuous and inquifitive temper, and admit of nothing as the ground-work of our reasonings about virtue and piety, before we have try'd it by the the infallible standard of truth and right. And when we have corrected our apprehenfions, and settled our scheme, by deliberate and impartial reflection, to compleat all, we must follow our light through all

SERM. the confequences which it plainly points out XII to us, and adhere to it invariably as the

director and guide of our practice; facrificing fond opinion, inordinate paffion, present interest, and the most tempting profpects of wealth and honour, in order to preserve a clear and untainted integrity: Which is the moft glorious cause, that it can ever be in our power to effert and vindicate---a cause, in which the fupreme good of Mankind, and of every rational Being in the Universe, is neceffarily involv'd.

It appears from the text, that Nathanael, though otherwise of a fair and equitable difpofition, had imbib'd one principle at leaft implicitly. He fell in with the common error of the Jews, which was ftrenuously supported by their Priests, and the grave doctors of their law, and by the Pharifees,the most distinguish'd and popular of all their fects; who feem to have been unanimously agreed,that no great Prophet would arife out of Galilee. As Nazareth therefore, the fuppofed place of our Saviour's birth, was fituate in this defpifed part of Judea, from whence, as they had ignorantly prefum'd, the gifts and illu

I